Kia EV3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 23 Sep 2026
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 12.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 70
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 120kW
- Economy
- 6.2 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 435L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
$58,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $197 a week in repayments ($47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz GLA GLA200
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 23 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $249 a week in repayments ($58,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV3 starts $11,300 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV3 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz GLA does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLA a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 6 of 10 key systems on the Kia EV3 and 6 on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
Mercedes-Benz GLA
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006325 · published 4 Apr 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the stop rivets on the adjustment rails of the rear seats may have not been installed.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005401 · published 6 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 11 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV3 stands out with wireless charging and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLA. The Mercedes-Benz GLA counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV3 gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLA offers synthetic leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Kia EV3 uses a Electric producing 150kW and 283Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA responds with a Petrol making 120kW and 270Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The Kia EV3 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV3 is 1.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV3 measures 4,300mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 111mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLA at 4,411mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the Kia EV3 and 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, giving the Kia EV3 a 25L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLA leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia EV3's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV3 costs about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLA about $1,767 a year (6.2 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLA).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $58,900), more power (150kW against 120kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (460L against 435L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Mercedes-Benz GLA: the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 500kg).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 70
The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the Mercedes-Benz GLA's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Kia EV3 ahead by 25 points), reliability (Kia EV3 ahead by 11 points). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV3, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLA by $11,300.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLA, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia EV3 has the largest boot at 460L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV3 makes the most power at 150kW. The Kia EV3 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
Track the Kia EV3 & Mercedes-Benz GLA
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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